Tri Rated cable

[Roodini]

Hi Guys n Gals, newish to the forum and to the trade as i am still working towards my level 3 C&G. I have a question that i thin i know the answer to but would like clarification if at all possible please. Can i use BS6231 cables in my man cave to run power circuits for sockets and my welders? I know the cable is mostly used for control gear cabinets etc but i cannot find anywhere where it says it is not suitable in a domestic environment, Low smoke, higher temp characteristics and in stock at my local factors to buy per meter instead of a whole drum i am leaning towards using it? Any advice welcomed.
Cheers
Andy

 

[James]

Remember the following points.

it is only single insulated, so it will need to be contained in trunking or conduit etc.

it’s higher temperature rating is likely to be of no importance as the system needs to take into account the temperature rating of the accessory it is attached to. (Domestic sockets etc are not rated for 90 degrees)

it is fine stranded so boot lace ferrules are required at every cable termination.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

I suppose we should say it needs ferruling at every cable termination that is not designed for a class 5 fine-stranded conductor, but in practice that means all normal domestic fittings. Obvs can't use push-in Wagos, use lever Wagos without ferrules. Tri-rated is actually a popular choice in larger sizes where the flexibility makes for much easier handling compared to 6491B. It used to be significantly more expensive but I think the differential has reduced of late.

An example of the relative merits would be how we use it in theatre lighting. We often need to run many circuits in trunking over significant distances (e.g. 72 circuits 40m long) so the lower cost of conduit cable is important. But then when the circuits arrive at internally wired bars or trusses, where the ambient temperature is unusually high and/or space is limited and we need to drop a size, the final hop from junction box to socket-outlet is done in tri-rated.

 

[westward10]

Does your wholesaler really sell the smaller csa by the metre as I would have thought that was counter productive as I can't see a high demand for purchasing it that way.

 

[pc1966]

As above.

I always try to use it for 16/25mm or above simply because of how much easier it is to wrangle. Ferrules are needed in most cases, or crimp lugs of course. As Lucien points out the leaver Wagos can take fine-stranded OK, just take care that no small strands escape and poke out.

The cheap eBay "self adjusting" ferrule crimper tools are surprisingly good if you are looking at 0.75mm to 10mm size, more here:

Ferrule crimp tools part deux | on ElectriciansForums

Find Ferrule crimp tools part deux Advice and Help. How-to Ferrule crimp tools part deux in the Electrical Tools and Products advice boards on ElectriciansForums.net Est.2006 | Free Electrical Advice Forum. Ferrule crimp tools part deux on ElectriciansForums.net Electrical Advice Forum.

www.electriciansforums.net

 

[Soi disant]

it is fine stranded so boot lace ferrules are required at every cable termination.

Possibly twin conductor ones.

 

[Soi disant]

Tri-rated is actually a popular choice in larger sizes where the flexibility makes for much easier handling compared to 6491B. It used to be significantly more expensive but I think the differential has reduced of late.

Some places charge less for some sizes than 6491x

 

[Soi disant]

Can i use BS6231 cables in my man cave to run power circuits for sockets and my welders?

Use the location as a way to practise your pyro technique.

in stock at my local factors to buy per meter instead of a whole drum

Are they a small local, or one of the chains?